Hearts keeper frozen out by Romanov

Hearts and Marian Kello refused to comment when contacted by Express Sport last night

Express Sport has learnt that the Slovakian international – one of the Tynecastle club’s top performers this season – has been told by Romanov that he won’t be considered for Jim Jefferies’ first-team.

Romanov is understood to have been unhappy with some of Kello’s recent performances despite the fact he has been amongst the best keepers in the SPL this season.

Jamie McDonald has been given the gloves in recent weeks, with Hearts claiming that Kello has been struggling with a back problem.

It is the latest controversial move from Romanov who had previously frozen out the likes of Christian Nade and then captain Marius Zaliukas before he decided to sign a new contract.

It now remains to be seen if his differences with Kello can be smoothed over. If they aren’t it could leave the keeper in a difficult situation, as he still has another season left on his Tynecastle contract.

It is likely that Romanov will try to cash-in on their highly-rated keeper in the summer rather than let him run down his contract and leave for nothing.

Hearts and Marian Kello refused to comment when contacted by Express Sport last night.

Kello initially joined Hearts on loan in 2008 from KBS Kaunas before he arrived in Scotland on a permanent basis two years later.It wasn’t until Jefferies took over last season that the big keeper came into his own.